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Rooney: 'Don't worry!'
21/ 8/2008
WAYNE Rooney has revealed the determination in the England squad to make up for the "hurt" of missing out on the Euro 2008 finals.
And he is confident Fabio Capello's side "can beat anyone" if they play to their maximum as they gear up for the opening two World Cup qualifiers with Andorra and Croatia next month.
England were far from being at their best during Wednesday's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic at Wembley when they needed a late goal from Joe Cole to salvage a share of the spoils.
But Rooney believes it was the ideal preparation for the demanding test against the Croatians in Zagreb on September 10.
The Manchester United star said: "In the second half we could have done a lot better but it was still a decent result for us. We are still building and looking to get better for the qualifiers.
"We have got a game before the Croatian one against Andorra and it is important we build on our previous games and get the points there.
"All the players were really disappointed with not qualifying for the Euros. It really hurt not to be playing there this summer.
"But we will give 110% to try and qualify for the World Cup and we needed that sort of test against the Czechs going into the qualifiers.
"We needed a tough game and I think we got it. They were really physical and well organised.
"There is more to come but we are always confident we can beat any team if we play at our best and we feel we can get it right in those games ahead."
Rooney played as a second striker behind Jermain Defoe and, although not firing on all cylinders, was content to get another game under his belt after his pre-season illness.
He picked up a virus in Nigeria during United's tour of Africa and missed two weeks pre-season training, a couple of friendlies and the Community Shield clash with Portsmouth.
Rooney said: "I had a lot of touches (in the) first half. Maybe I could have done more with the distribution of the ball and had a few more chances.
"But I am happy. It is another game for me. I missed a few games pre-season so it will help with my fitness as well."
Defoe is confident England will have shaken off any early season ring rustiness by the time they face Croatia.
He said: "What people have got to realise as well is it is the early days of the season. The lads are still getting fit and sharp.
"Everyone needs to improve. We want to win every game. As the other games come along, I am sure the lads will be a lot fitter and a lot sharper so we shouldn't have a problem.
"The manager said it was another step forward. We know we have to improve. We are going to improve, no doubt about that. I keep saying it is early in the season. We have played only one league game.
"The fans don't have to be worried. We have got good spirit and everything will be okay."
Most recent 2 of 5 user comments
As Hary Redknapp said he can't understand why players who turn it one week in week out in the premiorship yet can't do it for england.
What I do not understand it why Gerrard, Cole or Rooney have to fill in on the left went, correct me if I am wtong but Barry, who I don;t particularly rate, is left footed so why not play him there.
The other problems with the team is no matter what people say Gerrard and LAmpard can;t play together as the are to alike, and why oh why does Beckham still get in the side he just is not good enough anymore, his last good game for England was in the qualifiers against Greece so long ago, he has not played well since. This if english football not american where you bring on a kicker for set pieces.
We sadly lack technical ability and a Centre forwrad. Why was heskey picked and Crouch not, I am not his greatest fan but he is a pain in the backside to play against.
We are now like the scottish, welsh, and Irish we will no always struggle to qualify for major tournaments, one thing is the amount of foreigners in british football and the sometimes ludicrous prices teams ask for english players so teams go and get foreigners who are cheaper.
It is also down to our total lack of facilities and hunger from our youth as they have more to occupy them than football you see it at the weekend years ago there were hundreds of teams playing saturday and sunday but now there are very few.
England brought the game to the world who have took it up and gone forward with it whereas we seemed to have gone backwards.
ENGINEER, Heywood
21/08/2008 at 23:02
21/08/2008 at 23:02
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